A proposed windfarm on Ballindalloch Muir near Balfron has been described as an “industrial development” in the middle of the countryside.

The description comes from officials of Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park in their objection to a plan by npower to build nine giant 125-metre high wind turbines less than two kilometres from Balfron.

The objection document to Stirling Council states: “It is considered that windfarms would become an overly-frequent feature of the Stirling landscape if the Ballindalloch windfarm was to be consented.

“The proposed windfarm is located on open moorland, relatively remote and wild in feel, close to Flanders Moss and carse land and is overlooked by elevated land in all directions.

“It does not itself have a designation, but is overlooked by areas which are designated.

“In particular the windfarm will be visible from both The Trossachs and Loch Lomond National Scenic Areas as well as other important public viewpoints, areas and routes within and approaches to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park.”

Major

The objection document continues: “The proposal would impose a major change upon landscape character for the Ballindalloch Muir area and the surrounding landscape character area.

“It is essentially an industrialdevelopment in an area where thereare no industrial sites withinclose proximity.

“The hub height of the proposed turbines of 80 metres and the added extent of the blades of 45 metres is of huge scale that should not be underestimated in this highly intervisible landscape.”

The Endrick Valley Action Group (EVAG) has been set up to oppose the windfarm proposal.

EVAG chairman Gordon Adams, from Balfron, said: “We welcome this objection from the people charged with protecting one of Scotland’s scenic treasures.

“They, like EVAG and our manysupporters, recognise the damage this proposed windfarm could do to local tourism.”

The windfarm applicants, npower renewables, have consistently denied claims about the impact the development would have, saying it has continuously followed strict guidelines and legislation and adhered to stringent criteria when drawing up the plans.

It also says it carried out extensive consultations with locals from the outset in a bid to glean an even spread of opinion over a widespread age group and demographic.

This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.

The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments to query/wind-watch.org.